Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors Research Articles

Testicular ultrasonographic features predict future risk for bilateral testicular germ cell tumour: A long-term single centre follow-up study.

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumours (B-GCT) are rare, with an incidence of 2-5%, and can be classified as synchronous (sB-GCT) or metachronous (mB-GCT). Our study aimed to identify clinical, biochemical, and radiological risk factors for mB-GCT in a cohort of patients with GCT at a single tertiary referral centre. This retrospective case-control study included patients with GCT referred to Policlinico Umberto I-Sapienza University of Rome, from 2005 to 2023. We evaluated clinical history, testicular ultrasound features, hormone levels, semen analysis, histological characteristics, staging, and treatments. mB-GCTs were compared with unilateral GCT patients with a follow-up longer than the median time-to-onset of the second tumour. Of 319 patients, 52 experienced B-GCT, with a median time-to-onset of the second tumour of 62 months (range: 8-229). The mB-GCT group showed higher gonadotropin levels (FSH 13.6mUI/mL vs. 7.4mUI/mL, p<0.001; LH 6.6mUI/mL vs. 3.9mUI/mL, p=0.004), lower sperm concentration (27×106/ejaculate vs. 78×106/ejaculate, p=0.009), smaller residual testis volume (10.4mL vs. 16.3mL, p<0.001), more inhomogeneous echotexture [57.5% vs. 14%, p<0.001], and presence of microlithiasis (75% vs. 19.5%, p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed that ultrasound features of the residual testis increased the cumulative risk of developing a second tumour. Microlithiasis was a strong independent predictor (OR 30.712, 95% CI 3.357-280.942, p=0.002). Histological features of the first tumour or its treatment do not influence the onset of a second tumour. However, low residual testis volume, inhomogeneous echotexture, and microlithiasis significantly increase this risk. A comprehensive evaluation of the residual testis at baseline is essential for developing a personalised surveillance programme in GCT survivors, with regular ultrasound follow-up recommended beyond the conventional 5-year limit.

Analysis of clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome of patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumors

IntroductionBilateral testicular germ cell tumor (BGCT) is a rare disease, occasionally considered to be more aggressive than unilateral germ cell tumors (GCT) in some reports. Among BGCT, a synchronous disease might be diagnosed at a higher stage than a metachronous disease, resulting in lower cancer-specific survival. Hence, our study aimed to perform a comparative analysis between unilateral testicular GCT, bilateral synchronous GCT, and bilateral metachronous GCT, aiming to verify the possibility that BGCT is diagnosed with a higher stage and may require more aggressive management.Material and methodsIn our multicenter retrospective study we reviewed medical records of 40 patients with BGCT (24 metachronous and 16 synchronous). Clinical characteristics, pathological features of the primary and secondary tumors, adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy)and sperm quality were evaluated as well as cancer-specific survival and overall survival. A cohort of one-to-one matched patients with unilateral GCT were used to determine risk factors for developing BGCT.ResultsPatients with BGCT were slightly younger compared to those with unilateral GCT and had more advanced disease. Despite similar T-stage distribution between the two groups, nodal involvement was nearly twofold more frequent in patients with BGCT disease (42% vs 22%, p = 0.056). Additionally, although similar histological subtypes distribution at presentation among the two groups, the synchronous disease was diagnosed with a higher local T-stage (OR = 3.4), higher proportions of patients with elevated serum BHCG levels, and more frequent nodal involvement (OR = 2.2). This was later translated into an 18% higher disease-specific mortality rate. The median time to develop a contralateral tumor was 92 months. Pathological local T-stage (T2–T3) of the primary tumor predicted a shorter time interval to a diagnosis of a second contralateral tumor (HR 0.92, P < 0.05).ConclusionBGCT presents at a younger age and potentially with more advanced disease. Synchronous BGCT is diagnosed at a later stage compared to metachronous BGCT and has higher disease-specific mortality. Metachronous tumors might have a long time interval for the development of a contralateral neoplasm. The main predictor of developing an early metachronous disease is a high primary T stage.

Risk of Bilateral Testicular Germ cell Tumors: a single center long-term experience

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

P0656 - Analysis of clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome of patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumors

P0656 - Analysis of clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome of patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumors

Oncological Outcomes of Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Evaluation of Prognostic Risk Factors

Oncological Outcomes of Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Evaluation of Prognostic Risk Factors

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors - 50 years experience.

This study analysed the characteristics and outcome of the patients with bilateral germ testicular cell cancer (TC), especially synchronous. Among 2.124 TC patients diagnosed between 1970 and 2020, 96 (4. 5%) developed the 2nd TC. Nine occurred synchronously and 87 were metachronous. Patients were analysed according to the age and histological type of bilateral TC in comparison with unilateral TC. The mean follow-up of all 2,124 patients was 14.9 years. Unilateral TC occurred in 2.028 patients (the mean age of 32.4 years), 707 of them had seminoma, 1.310 nonseminomatous (NS) TC and 11 spermatocytic tumours. The 1st tumour of metachronous bilateral disease was diagnosed at a significantly younger age (27.1 years) compared to the unilateral disease (32.4 years). The mean interval between the 1st and the 2nd TC was 8.2 years. Patients with NSTC had a longer mean interval (9.2 years) between the 1st and the 2nd TC in comparison with seminoma patients (6.7 years). The mean age at diagnosis for seminoma was significantly higher (31.3 years) compared to the NSTC (24.1 years). Bilateral seminoma occurred in 5 synchronous bilateral TC patients, four patients had discordant histology, none presented with bilateral NSTC. Bilateral TC is a rare and requires individualized management of patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref. 32).

Clinicopathologic Characterization of Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors With Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Mismatch Repair and BRAF (V600E) Genes Mutations.

The incidence of bilateral testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is 1% to 5%. Despite the high rate of treatment success, resistance to chemotherapy has a detrimental effect. Some studies found MMR and BRAF gene mutations to be associated with chemotherapy resistance, which has not been found by others. However, the role of microsatellite instability (MSI) and BRAF mutations in bilateral disease has not been investigated. In this article, we studied the clinicopathologic characteristics and immunohistochemical expressions of MMR and BRAF in 13 patients with bilateral TGCT. Bilateral tumors were found in 4% of patients in our data. The mean ages at the first and subsequent diagnoses were 26.9 and 28.3 years, respectively. Eleven patients had metachronous disease; and the mean period between both tumors was 4.9 years. Six had mixed GCTs (MGCT) initially and later developed contralateral seminoma, 3 had bilateral MGCTs; 1 initially had pure embryonal carcinoma and subsequently MGCT and finally, 1 patient had initial seminoma and contralateral germ cell neoplasia in situ only. Of the patients with synchronous GCT, 1 had a MGCT and contralateral non-seminoma and 1 had seminoma and contralateral MGCT. In metachronous cases, 40% and 78% had an initial and subsequent stage of pT1, respectively. Hormonal and/or metastatic recurrence was observed in 30% of metachronous tumors. Six patients received chemotherapy, including patients with metastasis. No progression occurred after therapy. MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 staining was retained in all tumors. No BRAF staining was found. In conclusion, we found no association between bilateral TGCT and the MMR/MSI pathway and that subsequent metachronous tumors behaved much more indolently.

Excellent outcomes in bilateral testicular germ cell tumors over four decades.

523 Background: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumours (BTC) form a small minority of testicular cancer and detailed management data are sparse. Methods: Bilateral testicular cancer (BTC) patients managed at a single cancer centre were retrospectively analyzed. Synchronous BTC was defined as uni+contralateral presentation within 3 months. Patient characteristics, treatment and outcomes were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Results: Between Jan 1971 to Jun 2018, 118 pts were included. Nine patients (7.6%) had cryptorchidism. Twenty-two patients (18.6%) had synchronous BTC at median age of 30(21-54) years, 11 presented with concordant histology (10-seminoma). Median follow-up time was 96(1-220) months. Two of 14 patients (14%) with stage I disease on surveillance had retroperitoneal nodal recurrence, other 3 (21%) had testicular recurrence after partial orchiectomy alone. No recurrence occurred for 8 stage II/III patients (36%) who received stage-appropriate treatment. All patients were alive without disease at last follow-up. For metachronous BTC, the median age was 27(16-68) and 37(19-78) years for first and second diagnosis, respectively. The median time interval was 88 (8-352) months, with shorter interval when second primary was non-seminoma, median 69 vs. 92 months. Concordant histology was present in 58 (38-seminoma) patients and discordant in 38 patients. There were 66, 23, 7 and 84, 9, 3 patients with stage I, II, III disease for first and second testicular cancer (TC), respectively. For all stage I disease, 69% of non-seminoma (n = 33) and 79% of seminoma (n = 81) were on surveillance, of whom the crude relapse rate was 15%. The median follow-up time after second diagnosis was 87 months. In all, 35 patients (30%) with recurrence except 1 were successfully salvaged. The 10-year OS and RFS for whole cohort was 99% and 69.8%, respectively. Conclusions: In our series, seminoma was the more common pathology, and management based on pathology and stage yielded excellent outcomes regardless of prior therapy. Metachronous BTC may occur at extremely long time intervals such that longer follow-up is needed to capture the majority of contralateral primary TC.

83 - Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors – a single center experience

83 - Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors – a single center experience

A CASE OF BILATERAL SYNCHRONOUS TESTICULAR TUMORS, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO DIFFERENTIATE FROM MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA

We report a case of bilateral synchronous testicular tumors, which was difficult to differentiate from malignant lymphoma. A 56-year-old man with a left scrotal mass was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonography revealed a uniformly hypoechoic mass in bilateral testes. Magnetic resonance imaging also revealed a homogeneously low-intensity lesion in the bilateral testes on T2-weighted images. Abdominal and chest computed tomography showed no lymphadenopathy or metastasis. The image findings at that time suggested a malignant lymphoma, and consequently, we performed a right radical orchiectomy. Histopathological examination revealed typical seminoma in the right testis; following this observation, left radical orchiectomy was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with synchronous bilateral testicular germ cell tumors. No recurrence or metastasis has been detected postoperatively. We recommend that the diagnosis of bilateral testicular tumors be made on the basis of patients' age, tumor marker level, and image findings.

Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A SEER-Based Analysis

Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: A SEER-Based Analysis

Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors in the Era of Multimodal Therapy

To characterize the incidence, presentation, management, and relapse of a large population of bilateral testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) from a single institution. We identified bilateral TGCT diagnosed between January 1989 and February 2014. We categorized synchronous and metachronous TGCT, noting time between first and second TGCT, histology (seminoma vs nonseminoma [NSGCT]), stage, and treatments. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates characterized relapse. Of 5132 patients with TGCT, 128 (2.5%) had bilateral TGCT. Bilateral TGCT increased over time-1.7% in 1989-1994 up to 3.8% in 2010 to February 2014. The 35 (27%) synchronous cases of TGCT had 20 (57%) concordant seminoma, 5 (14%) concordant NSGCT, and 10 (29%) discordant NSGCT. The 93 (73%) metachronous cases had median time interval to second TGCT of 73 months (range: 5 months-28.6 years). Compared with first TGCT, 39 (42%) had discordant histology, 29 (31%) had concordant seminoma, and 25 (27%) had concordant NSGCT. Stage at first tumor was statistically similar to second TGCT (second stage I, II, II in 69%, 22%, 10%). Increasing duration between first and second TGCT was not associated with higher stage (II or III) at second TGCT (P = .09). Treatment at first tumor was not associated with stage at second tumor. Relapse following bilateral diagnosis was 16.8% (95% confidence interval 10.5%-26.2%) at 5 years. Incidence of bilateral TGCT increased with >25% of metachronous TGCT presenting ≥10 years after first TGCT; possible causes include increased survivorship and referral bias. Stage was statistically similar at first and second tumor; stage at second tumor was not associated with time interval between tumors or prior treatment modality at first tumor.

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors in patients treated for clinical stage I non-seminoma within two risk-adapted SWENOTECA protocols

Background. A contralateral tumor occurs in 3.5–5% of men diagnosed with testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC). Biopsy of the contralateral testis may detect intratubular germ cell neoplasia ITGCNU, a precursor of TGCC. Biopsy of the contralateral testis to detect ITGCNU is controversial. If adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) protects against bilateral cancer is debated.Material and methods. A total of 1003 patients with clinical stage I (CS I) non-seminomatous testicular germ cell cancer (NSGCT) were included in two prospective, population-based protocols. Fifteen patients were excluded. Treatment was either adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 494), or surveillance (n = 494). Contralateral testicular biopsy was recommended for all patients, but was performed only in 282 patients. In case of ITGCNU radiotherapy (RT) to 16 Gy was recommended.Results. During a follow-up of 8.3 years, 31 (3.6%) patients developed contralateral TGCC. ITGCNU was detected in 3.2% (9/282) of biopsied patients. The incidence of bilateral TGCC was similar following ACT, 2.5% (11/494), and surveillance, 3.4% (13/494), p = 0.41. Young age was a risk factor for metachronous TGCC (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.88–0.99, p = 0.02). In total 2.2% (6/273) of patients without ITGCNU in the biopsy developed contralateral TGCC. One irradiated patient developed contralateral cancer, and one developed contralateral tumor before RT was given.Conclusion. ACT did not reduce the incidence of contralateral TGCC. Young patients had the highest risk of developing contralateral TGCC. The proportion of false negatives biopsies was higher than reported in earlier trials, but this may in part be related to patient selection, single biopsies and lack of mandatory immunohistochemistry.

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors.

392 Background: Germ cell tumors (GCTs), both seminomatous and non-seminomatous, account for greater than 90% of testicular cancers. While bilateral testicular GCTs are rare, the incidence of bilateral tumors has increased over time. Methods: 668 cases of bilateral and 38,593 cases of unilateral testicular GCTs were reported between 1973 and 2011 by the SEER database. Patient characteristics and tumor features were analyzed. Results: The incidence of bilateral GCTs among men with testicular GCTs was 1.7% (668 of 39,261 total cases). Among the 668 men with bilateral GCTs, 53% (n=353) of second GCTs occurred within three years after the first cancer. 29% (n=196) of bilateral tumors occurred synchronously. Among patients with bilateral GCTs, 378 first GCTs and 466 second GCTs were seminomatous. 43% of bilateral cases were concordant seminomatous GCTs, 16% were concordant non-seminomas, and 41% were discordant histologies. 68% of unilateral GCTs, 70% of first GCTs, and 82% of second GCTs were staged as Localized disease. Testicular cancer was the cause of death for 4% (n=1,630) of men with a unilateral GCT and 1% (n=8) of men with bilateral GCTs. A second malignant neoplasm (SMN) was the cause of death for 2% (n=736) of men with a unilateral GCT and 2% (n=16) of men with bilateral GCTs. Conclusions: Among men with bilateral testicular GCTs, 59% had concordant histological diagnoses between their first and second tumor. Most (53%) second cancers among men with bilateral tumors occurred within three years after diagnosis of first cancers. Men who experience bilateral testicular GCTs do not appear to have an increased risk of death due to testicular cancer or a subsequent non-germ cell malignant neoplasm compared to men with a unilateral testicular GCT. [Table: see text]

Exome Sequencing of Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors Suggests Independent Development Lineages

Intratubular germ cell neoplasia, the precursor of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), is hypothesized to arise during embryogenesis from developmentally arrested primordial germ cells (PGCs) or gonocytes. In early embryonal life, the PGCs migrate from the yolk sac to the dorsal body wall where the cell population separates before colonizing the genital ridges. However, whether the malignant transformation takes place before or after this separation is controversial. We have explored the somatic exome-wide mutational spectra of bilateral TGCT to provide novel insight into the in utero critical time frame of malignant transformation and TGCT pathogenesis. Exome sequencing was performed in five patients with bilateral TGCT (eight tumors), of these three patients in whom both tumors were available (six tumors) and two patients each with only one available tumor (two tumors). Selected loci were explored by Sanger sequencing in 71 patients with bilateral TGCT. From the exome-wide mutational spectra, no identical mutations in any of the three bilateral tumor pairs were identified. Exome sequencing of all eight tumors revealed 87 somatic non-synonymous mutations (median 10 per tumor; range 5-21), some in already known cancer genes such as CIITA, NEB, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA), and WHSC1. SUPT6H was found recurrently mutated in two tumors. We suggest independent development lineages of bilateral TGCT. Thus, malignant transformation into intratubular germ cell neoplasia is likely to occur after the migration of PGCs. We reveal possible drivers of TGCT pathogenesis, such as mutated PDGFRA, potentially with therapeutic implications for TGCT patients.

Testis sparing surgery in the treatment of bilateral testicular germ cell tumors and solitary testicle tumors: A single institution experience.

To assess the oncologic and functional outcomes of testicular sparing surgery (TSS) based on a single institution experience. Forty-one patients with bilateral and 3 patients with solitary testicle tumors were referred to our institution. The inclusion criteria for TSS were normal serum testosterone levels, and tumor size (<2 cm). Sperm analysis and hormone status evaluation were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. None of the patients underwent local radiation therapy following TSS for reasons of fertility preservation. A total of 26 TSS were performed in 24 patients. The median follow-up period was 51.0 months. Seven patients developed local recurrence, of which 5 had TIN and were subjected to radical orchiectomy, whereas re-do TSS was done in remaining 2 patients. The overall survival of the study group was 100%, and the presence of testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN) was associated with worse recurrence-free survival (P=0.031, log-rank). Testosterone values were normal in all of the patients, while 4 patients achieved conception. TSS is acceptable from an oncological point of view, and it enables continuation of a patient's life without lifelong hormonal substitution. Additionally, local irradiation therapy could be delayed in patients with TIN who wish to father children, but with high local recurrence rate.

Re: "Null Association Between Histology of First and Second Primary Malignancies in Men with Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors"

Several of the descriptive epidemiologic features of testicular germ cell tumors speak against the hypothesis that the etiologies of seminoma and nonseminoma are identical. For example, among boys 0–14 years of age, nonseminoma is virtually the only type of testicular germ cell tumor. The incidence rate of nonseminoma is constant in boys (0–14 years of age) but is considerably higher in men. The age at which the incidence rate of nonseminoma peaks is approximately 10 years earlier than the age at which that of seminoma peaks. Incidence time trends for seminoma and nonseminoma differ (1). Thomas et al. (2) provided evidence that the etiologies of seminoma and nonseminoma do not differ based on a caseonly study design. Their finding is in line with results of a recent systematic review of seminoma and nonseminoma exposure-effect estimates that included 73 publications and 631 exposures (3). However, we do not agree with the assertion by Thomas et al. that “this approach is not well suited to TGCTs [testicular germ cell tumors] because risk factors remain largely unknown” (2, p. 1241). Several established risk factors are mentioned by Thomas et al. These riskfactors also played a role in the systematic review. A key assumption needed for the interpretation of this analysis is not met: “[T]he probability of occurrence of a first cancer in an individual [is] the same as the probability of a second cancer, given the occurrence of the first cancer” (4, p. 937). Typically, the estimated standardized incidence ratios of a second primary testicularcancerare approximately 10–20 (5–8). Most likely, some of the other assumptions needed for the approach suggested by Begg (4) are not met for testicular germ cell cancer. Therefore, despite replication of the results of Thomas et al., we are uncertain about the meaning of these results. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors.

Testicular cancer represents 1% to 1.5% of neoplasias in males and 5% of urologic tumors in general. The incidence of bilateral testicular tumors is 1-5%. Approximately one third of the cases are diagnosed as synchronous, while the other two thirds are diagnosed as metachronous tumors. Additionally, 5% of all patients diagnosed with testicular cancer may have contralateral intratubular germ cell neoplasia and may develop a contralateral germ cell tumor. However, few data are available regarding bilateral testicular germ cell tumors (BTGCTs). In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the incidence, pathological features and clinical outcomes.of BTGCTs.

Null Association Between Histology of First and Second Primary Malignancies in Men With Bilateral Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), the most common neoplasms of young men, are categorized histologically as either seminomas or nonseminomas/mixed germ cell tumors. These subtypes differ by age at diagnosis and clinical course, but little is known about etiological distinctions. To test the hypothesis that histological subtypes have distinct sets of unrecognized etiological factors, we used a recently described approach, estimating the association between histological types of first and second tumors of men with 2 primary TGCTs. The study population of 488 men each with 2 primary TGCTs was ascertained through population-based cancer registries in the United States between 1972 and 2006. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the histology of second primary TGCTs was associated with the histology of first TGCTs (odds ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 2.52); however, the association did not persist in analyses adjusted for age at diagnosis of first TGCT (odds ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.71, 1.70). These results would be expected if the subtypes share etiology but experience different rates of progression to diagnosis or if the histological fate of TGCTs is influenced by age-related processes. Men with 2 primary TGCTs provide novel opportunities to learn whether histological subtypes are likely to share etiology, so results may inform research designed to identify causes.

Bilateral synchronous testicular germ cell tumours in a patient with bilateral cryptorchidism

Bilateral testicular tumours are rare, and 80% of bilateral tumours are metachronous. The incidence of testicular tumours is high in cryptorchidism. Synchronous bilateral testicular tumours are rare, and bilateral synchronous testicular tumours in bilateral cryptorchidism extremely rare, probably not reported previously.